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Missile Defense

Technology has always found its greatest consumer in a nation's war and defense efforts. Since the last attempts at a "Star Wars" defense system, has technology changed considerably enough to make the latest Missile Defense initiatives more successful? Can such an application of science be successful? Is a militarized space inevitable, necessary or impossible?

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rshow55 - 10:38am Jan 21, 2003 EST (# 7870 of 7880)
Can we do a better job of finding truth? YES. Click "rshow55" for some things Lchic and I have done and worked for on this thread.

This is a very hopeful time, it seems to me. Maybe I'm twisted, but things are looking better and better. The ceremonies and services on Martin Luther King day were interesting - there was a lot of eloquent speaking. And eloquent, admirable, interesting action on the part of the first family together with National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice.

There was a fine, interesting picture of Mr. and Mrs. Bush, and Ms. Rice at First Baptist Church of Glenarden taken by Agence France Presse that is not in the web NYT edition. It is a very good picture and it showed circumstances primordial, admirable - circumstances that I think might be used as exemplars of things we can hope for - as we are. Things that people of all nations and cultures can understand (or perhaps misunderstand in ways useful for analogy and discussion). Things people can think of in ways that fit both their own culture - and their culture or nation in interaction with different cultures and nations - under circumstances where there is a potential for conflict, and cooperation - and where things can still be done well and gracefully.

You don't have to share President Bush's ideas about the interaction of church and state to be impressed by what these three people did - and the statements and examples made and set.

Bush Invokes Faith's Power to Cure Society's Ills By RICHARD W. STEVENSON http://www.nytimes.com/2003/01/21/politics/21CHUR.html

WASHINGTON, Jan. 20 — President Bush visited a predominantly black church in suburban Maryland today to commemorate the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 's birthday, saying there is "still prejudice holding people back" and invoking the power of faith to address society's shortcomings.

After meeting in private with a group that included leaders of religion-based charities, Mr. Bush addressed about 500 congregants of the First Baptist Church of Glenarden in Landover and spoke of his hope that religious groups could further Dr. King's goal of creating opportunity for all people.

"It is fitting that we honor this great American in a church because out of the church comes the notion of equality and justice," Mr. Bush said, standing beside Pastor John K. Jenkins Sr.

"And even though progress has been made, Pastor, even though progress has been made, there is more to do," Mr. Bush said in a sermonlike cadence. "There are still people in our society who hurt. There is still prejudice holding people back. There is still a school system that doesn't elevate every child so they can learn. There is still a need for us to hear the words of Martin Luther King, to make sure the hope of America extends its reach into every neighborhood across this land."

You can use the Agence France-Presse picture as an exemplar of a number of patterns - you can talk about a great deal involving conflict, diplomacy, and trade.

It is as good for that, in its way, as an image of Fred Astaire, Rita Hayworth, and Ginger Roger together might be.

The key ingredients for some very good and practical solutions to problems of peace and stability (and missile defense) are falling into place, it seems to me.

The patterns of bird courtship, and cooperative nurturing, and predation - can be used as analogies, as well.

The idea of repression - as a neutral (and not so neutral) psychological construct has some applicability, to the diplomatic circumstanes the world is facing - and to the picture as well.

We live in interesting times. Maybe hopeful times. The difference between natural alliance and natural fighting can hinge on differences of detail - and bitter enemies can cease to be so, and even help each other, when that is understood.

lchic - 10:58am Jan 21, 2003 EST (# 7871 of 7880)
~~~~ It got understood and exposed ~~~~

Photo makes a point

"" President Bush told an African American congregation yesterday that racial prejudice continues to hold the nation back, even as some black leaders asserted that his policies were part of the problem.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A19149-2003Jan20.html

rshow55 - 11:11am Jan 21, 2003 EST (# 7872 of 7880)
Can we do a better job of finding truth? YES. Click "rshow55" for some things Lchic and I have done and worked for on this thread.

To fill the "bully pulpit" of the presidency, a person has to be a good preacher. Bush is - and it is important what he chooses to preach about.

http://media.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/images/I19511-2003Jan20

Though preaching isn't everything - actions count, as well. That's something that President Bush certainly knows - and tries to face responsibly - even though a lot of people, including myself, may disagree with him on some very fundamental things, from time to time.

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